Haul: 09/19/2011

Hey Guys~!

Super long time no talk! It's been almost a month.. That's too long a break so here I am and what better way to come back then with a haul?

First I stopped at Wal-mart (the university students paradise) and picked up a few makeup items on my wishlist plus a surprise!

So starting with the surprise, I was walking through the makeup aisle and I spotted..... Dun dunnnn... The wet n wild 8 color palettes! I couldn't believe my eyes! The two Wal-mart's in town have the wet n wild lines but were always missing the 8 color palettes! They were pretty picked over but I managed to find the Comfort Zone palette which was the most neutral of the palettes that were left. This palette has pigmented, creamy colors that can create a neutral or smokey eye.

Then I picked up a Rimmel blush in berry and a Covergirl single eyeshadow in Tapestry Taupe which I thought would be excellent colors for fall.

Then the most exiting purchase of the day comes courtesy of Urban Decay....

The Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette.. I've been waiting to get this one forever! It has 15 limited edition shades that are mostly neutral (with I love) with a few bright colors. The shadows are pigmented, buttery and long lasting.

Have you guys tried any of these products? If so, what do you think of them?

So this is my mini haul! I hope you guys enjoyed and there will be more posts to come soon!

xox

Ash

August Favorites~!

Hey Guys,

I can't believe it's favorites time again.. where does the time go? It feels like summer just started yesterday. I really don't want summer to be over.. I love the sun and warmth but I've only just started seeing the sun since I've been home. The weather where I go to school was terrible..Good excuse to go shopping hey?

I bought lost of new stuff this month so i have lots of new favorites and a couple of oldies so enough with the rambling.. Let's get started~!

1) Covergirl Natureluxe Foundation in 215- I love this stuff in the summertime.. It almost feels like a tinted moisturizer but gives enough coverage for bad skin days.

2) Stila illuminating moisturizer in light- I mix this with my Covergirl Natureluxe to give my face some extra glow and take away the tiniest bit of heaviness my foundation had.

3) MAC Minerlize Skinfinish in light- This sets my foundation and controls any oils. It also evens out my skin tone on days when I don't feel like wearing moisturizer.

4) Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse blush in rose petal- This blush feels super creamy, blends really well on your cheeks and dries to a powder finish. I don't bother to set it with a powder blush because it has pretty good staying power.

5) Stila Convertible Color in petunia- This is an excellent bright summery color that can be used on cheeks or lips.

6) Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal- I bought this a while back but I just started using this month. I love swiping this on my lips for a tint of color but it can also double as a cheek stain.

7) MAC Paint Pot in Painterly- I love wearing this when I'm too lazy to put on shadows. It really brightens my eyes.

8) Lush Blackberry bath bomb- This smelled so good and make my skin feel super soft.

9) B&BW's Sweet Pea body cream and body spray- I can see why this is a cult favorite because it is the perfect sweet and fun smelling fragrance.

10) Lush's Cupcake face mask- This gets all the dirt and oil out of my pores without leaving my skin feeling tight and dry.... and it smells like chocolate.. what more could a girl ask for?

11) MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 with Revlon Coral Reef lip gloss- Perfect summer combo!

12) China Glaze- Pool Party, Essie- Turquoise and Caicos, Essie- Brazilliant - These have been part of my manicures and pedicures all summer.

TV Show- Pretty Little Liars: I'm all caught up to the new episodes now so I can start watching it on t.v! Yay! I wasn't obsessed over this show at first but the second season is so exciting!

Songs- Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People- I found this song a few days ago so it really shouldn't be in this favorites, but I can't stop listening to it!

Rain Over Me- Mark Anthony and Pitbull- Is it weird that I find Mark Anthony very attractive in this song? I've always found him kinda creepy but I have a bit of a crush on him now.. that's odd.

Stereo Hearts- Adam Levine Ft. Gym Class Heroes- Catchy, happy tune.

Lifeline- Papa Roach- I'm a sucker for songs like this.

So Far Away- Staind- and a suck for songs like this. I have a thing for rocker dudes.. uhh..Minus Mark Anthony.

This picture does not do the neon-ness any justice but this is China Glaze Pool Party. I love it~!

So what's your favorites for this month? Lemme know in the comments below~!

xox

Ash

Shopping Trip Haul: Part 2

Hey Guys,

Here I am with Part 2 of my shopping trip haul! We went to a different mall the second day where I got a chance to go to Lush (I couldn't believe I was there in person!), Bath and Body Works and H&M.

My first stop was H&M and I grabbed a few things I thought were cute. I went into the dressing room and everything I tried on fit and looked good. I honestly thought I was dreaming but it turns out I wasn't because I'm sitting in the hotel with the bag full of clothes to prove it. I bought a camel colored blazer, a purple lace dress, a flowery peasant top, a silk royal blue top and camel/navy blue striped long sleeved shirt, a light pink tank top with ruffles and a couple of bracelets. H&M is officially one of my favorite stores.

Then I went to Bath and Body Works where I had a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase plus it was buy 3 get 3 free! I definitely could have went crazier than this but rumour has it there's a Bath and Body Works opening where I go to school so I will do my shopping there. 
I picked up:

Sweet Pea body spray and body cream- Cult favorites that smells divine.Top Notes: Sweet Pea, Watery Pear, Logan Berry, Rhubarb
Mid Notes: Cyclamen, Freesia, Raspberry
Base Note: Musk
Carried Away body spray and lotion- This smells delish as well! It's notes are:
Top Notes: Italian Bergamot, Meyer Lemon, Mandarin, Juicy Pear Nectar, Lush Raspberries
Mid Notes: Purple Freesia, White Tuberose, White Jasmine, Soft Violet Petals
Base Notes: Creamy Sandalwood, Whipped Vanilla, Musk
I also bought a shower gel and body spray for my boyfriend. Then I bought 10 Halloween pocketbac's.. no I'm not completely crazy.. 5 were for my brother :).... Then I picked up 3 mini candles: 2 Leaves and 1 Mint Chocolate Chip and a Halloween handsoap that glows in the dark. (I'm not gonna lie, that was totally the selling point).

My last trip was LUSH!!!!! Yes, I am obsessed.. or maybe I should say was obsessed because the service at the Lush I went to was terrible and not at all what I imagined Lush to be. I was kinda sad but maybe I'll stick to ordering online even when I have the opportunity to go to Lush. On this trip I picked up:


Blackberry bath bomb- I used this the last night of my trip with half of my Mmm bath melt and the mix of the smells was delicious! This bath bomb also comes with a little surprise!

Pink bath bomb- This smells like candy! It was super moisturizing and this bomb also has a fun little surprise~

Mmm bath melt- This also smells like candy so it was perfect to throw in with Pink.

Wicci Magic massage bar- I bought this massage bar for my boyfriend as part of his birthday gift. I read online that it's supposed to be good for sore muscles so I hope this helps ease his pain.

Cupcake face mask- I tried this once already and I really liked it. My skin looked glowy and didn't feel dry like other face masks tend to do. Bonus: It smells like chocolate.

Hair Doctor hair mask- This felt super refreshing and my hair felt clear of build-up after my first use.

American Cream conditioner- I picked this up because it smells great! I hope it works as good as it smells!

Bubblegum lip scrub (mine's about to expire)- I have a fond love of this lip scrub.

Honey trap lip balm- This smells like orange vanilla chocolate. Sounds random but works.

As well as some great samples like Dark Angels cleanser, Fresh Farmacy face soap and Big shampoo.

                                                     Pink Bath Bomb and Mmm Bath Melt

                                                             I was lovin' on Cupcake

Bonus: Here's a few things I bought at a local store. I love handmade jewerly.

So that's my giant haul! Have you guys tried any of these products? Have you had a similar experience at Lush or was this just not a good day? Should I give them another chance? What's your favorite scents at B&BW? What's your favorite clothing stores? Are you tired of my questions? Haha! <3

xox

Ash

Lush Tag~!

Hey Friends,

I was looking for a fun tag to do today and I came across a Lush tag! Woo!

1. First product ever used from Lush and how long ago was that?
I believe it was cinders bath bomb. I ordered Lush for the first time last Christmas and bought all holiday items!

2. Top three favorite bath products (bath bombs, bubble bars, bath melts)?
Blackberry bath bomb, Comforter bubble bar and You've Been Mangoed bath melt.

3. Favorite skincare product?
I haven't used much of their skincare but I do love my recently purchased Cupcake face mask and I love Lemony Flutter.

4.Favorite Retro, discontinued, or holiday product?
Angel's Delight soap. YUM

5.Which haircare products do you use?
I use Godiva solid shampoo bar (Thanks Rebecca! <3)

6.What is one product you really want to try but haven't?
Bon Bain Benard bath bomb looks pretty and sounds like it smell super and i want to try Curly Wurly shampoo

7.What is your ULTIMATE, ALL TIME favorite product and why?
Bubble Gum lip scrub because it makes my lips soft and smooth.

I tag everyone who reads this~! Especially the Flamingo_Blush Girls! I know their love for Lush.

xox

Ash

Shopping Trip Haul: Part 1

Hey Guys,

I'm currently on holidays with my fam and I did my yearly shopping so I thought I'd share with you what I bought! This is super long so I may break this up into parts.. Keep in mind I only do any major shopping once a year so that's my excuse :) <3

I choose to go to stores that I don't have close to where I live so I went to places like Mac, Sephora, Coach, H&M, Lush and Bath and Body Works.

In this post I'm going to start with Mac, Sephora and Coach which are the places I went on my first day of shopping.

My first purchases of the day were at Mac where I bought some beginner items because I own nothing from Mac..until now..The girl who helped me was absolutely awesome, helpful and funny which made an intimidating trip (for someone who doesn't know what they're doing) really pleasant.

For face I bought a minerlize skinfinish natural in Light and a minerlize skinfinish in Rose Quartz.

For eyes I bought Painterly paintpot, an eyeshadow quad along with 4 eyeshadows which were Naked Lunch, All That Glitters, Sable, and Twinks.


Then I bought Creme Cup and Viva Glam Gaga 2 lipstick and Viva Glam Gaga lipgloss

Then I went to Sephora where I picked up somethings I have been eyeing for a long time. This was my second time in a Sephora store (my first time I ran in and bought Nars Orgasm lipgloss and ran out) and this particular Sephora just opened so it was packed and many things were out of stock but I managed to find plenty of things that were on my wish list.

At Sephora I bought:

Philosophy Snowcone shower gel set

Tarte radiant & rested: volume 2 which comes with Smooth Operator: Amazonian clay illuminating serum, the bright side double-ended eye brightener, LipSurgence natural lip tint in Sweet, Amazonian clay blush in Glisten and Amazonian clay shimmering powder in
Champagne.

Nars Orgasm/Laguna Duo

Philosophy Purity- 90mL

Korres lip butter in Jasmine


Korres lip butter in Pomegranate

Tokidoki lipgloss in Ciao Ciao


Philosophy lip gloss in I Love Candy Corn

Sephora by OPI nail polish in It's Bouquet With Me

Then I got my birthday gift which is the Philosophy shower gel in Vanilla Cake and I used my points to get the Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Dry Oil Mist.

   Sephora by OPI- It's Bouquet With Me

Then I went to Coach which was another amazing experience. I always find the staff in the stores at Coach so friendly, but the staff at this location took the cake!


I bought a Coach Poppy purse which I cannot find the name of but here's a pic!

Have any of you tried any of these products? What are some other staple items I should pick up from MAC? Please let us know in the comments below!

P.S- Here's a few bonus pics~!

                                                         Yummy Bloomin' Onion

                                                                 I totally agree

xox

Ash

My Foundation Routine

Hey Guys,

I don't normally wear a full foundation face but I thought it may be interesting to let you guys know what I wear (when I actually muster up the energy to put on makeup) and I'd like to hear what you guys wear.

My main foundations are Revlon Colorstay in Nude 200 for Combination/Oily Skin and Covergirl Natureluxe in 315. Since it's currently summertime, I like to mix these foundations with a dab of my Stila tinted moisturizer so make the foundation feel super light on my face. The Stila tinted moisturizer also adds a nice glow to my face.

The next step varies depending on the condition of my skin that day (ughh to breakouts!). On a not so good skin day, I use my Benefit Booing concealor from my Confessions of a Concelaholic kit to cover up any hyperpigmentaion. If my face is uber broken out, I'll use a dab of Erase Paste on the pimple and then put some Booing concealor on top of that.

After all this going on's, I use either my Rimmel Stay Matte powder, Maybelline Dream Matte powder or Urban Decay Mattifying powder. Right now I've been reaching for my Maybelline powder a lot. Make sure to spot powder your blemishes first, then dust the powder on your face wherever you get oily.

Which products do you use in your foundation routine? Let use know below~!

xox

Ash

Lush Ocean Salt Review

Hey Guys,

I am a self proclaimed Lush lover. I really would not be able to control myself if there was a store anything near where I live. I would be there everyday and be extremely broke so I have to buy online every once in a while or wait til I go on holidays and have a little spree.. and then you guys would see a haul. Fun right!

So last time my dad went on a business trip, I begged him to make a stop into Lush and pick up a few things on my list and Ocean Salt was one of them. I only heard of the smaller sized Ocean Salt through Youtube and wasn't aware there was a larger size so when my dad comes home with a tub of Ocean Salt with the $30 price tag on the side I almost pass out. I felt so bad so it's a good thing I ended up....keep reading to find out ;)

According to the Lush website Ocean Salt has lime extracted into sea salt which is good because the antibacterial effects of lime and the trace of alcohol in the product is ideal for blocked pores, blackheads or blemishes. The minerals in sea salt soften as the salt scrubs away dirt and blockages.

Ocean Salt can be used on your face or body but I only use it on my face.

When I use Ocean Salt, my face feels super clean but doesn't feel tight like when I use other exfoliator. My skin looks radiant, glowy and I don't break out when I'm using this product!

The only problem I have with this is the smell. Most people say it smells like the ocean but I find it smells like a cheap cologne many old men in my town wear called "Gravity".. so to me, Ocean Salt smells like old men. Another thing is, after I use Ocean Salt I can taste salt in my mouth? Does it absorb through my skin because I swear I don't get it in my mouth! I brush my teeth right after I use it because it's just weird.

I would give this product a 4 1/2 out of 5.. the only thing that brings it down is the smell.

Hope this helped!

xox

Ash

P.s.- I would like to thank Aleexandraaxo for putting my picture in her Subscriber Spotlight video. If you guys haven't seen it, please check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW-mnYt304k&feature=feedu <3

Things to Keep in the Car

I was raised in a house where both parents frequently traveled long distances in the car for work. When the time came for me to start driving, you can be assured that I was given a cubic shit-ton of car related advice. I was basically bombarded with everything from car parts to what I should keep in the car. Being full of typical teenage rebellion I failed to heed all of my parent’s advice and on more than one occasion found myself in a situation where I wish I had listened. 

One of my main goals for this blog is for people to learn from my mistakes so read on if you would like to know the things everyone should keep in their car.

·      Change of clothes: handy incase you break down and need to spend the night somewhere. In the winter make sure your change of clothes is warm and maybe include a small rain poncho to keep you dry for changing a tire in the rain.

·      Small cosmetics bag: pick up some travel size shampoo, soap, spare toothbrush, etc. At least you won’t have to feel grimy if you need to stay overnight somewhere.

·      Blanket: doesn’t have to be large as it can be used to bundle up in if you break down or cover up your purchases after a day of shopping.

·      Folding shovel: so you can dig yourself out of a snow bank

·      Flashlight: always handy to have around

·      Tire repair kit: you’ll be able to patch things up until you can get to a service station

·      Booster battery: this baby will be able to give your battery a boost without needing another car around. You can also get them with electrical outlets so it can be used to charge electronics like a cell phone. If you're not sure what I'm talking about just click on the link.

·      Pair of sneakers: just throw a pair that you are going to be getting rid of or a pair you found on super clearance. You just want something to throw on if you need to walk anywhere, your current footwear (ie. Heels) are not great for driving in, or you need to fix something like a flat tire (again not a great thing to do in heels).

·      Storage container: this will keep all of your supplies above from rolling around the trunk of your car. The one I have is actually collapsible, lightweight, and has Velcro on the bottom so the container stays in place. 

Now that might look like a lot but if you travel in your car a lot it is really worth these things on hand. I can fit everything into my storage container so there is still a nice amount of trunk space remaining. More general things you might wanna keep around would be tissues/wet-wipes, garbage bags, a phone book, and of course some CDs incase your mp3 player dies.

Happy driving!

Rebecca

Collective Haul: 08/06/2011

Hey Guys,

I'm currently in my small hometown for a month so before I left the city I wanted to pick up a few things I've been wanting to try for a long time. I've picked up these things over the past couple of weeks and wanted to share with you guys. I'm also hoping to do reviews of most of these products once I've had a chance to really test them out.

About 2 weeks ago, I picked up a couple of hair products that I've heard lots about particularly from Amarixe on Youtube (she's one of my favorite gurus).

First I picked up the Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair mask which is a treatment that offers a therapeutic remedy that penetrates deep into the hair. This mask smells amazing and from what I've tried so far, it is a miracle for my natural curls which are normally extremely dry.

Then I bought the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum which is a lightweight serum that helps to smooth and seal in hair with added shine.

Thirdly, I picked up the It's a 10 leave in treatment is apparently a thick cream which sprays out into a fine mist. This stuff claims to do 10 things for your hair and it smells amazing.

Before I left I used my Shoppers Optimum Points that I've been saving for a while and I picked up the Urban Decay De-slick mattifying powder which is a lavender toned powder which claims to keep your face matte all day, as well as, the Stila convertible color in Petunia which is a bright pink lip and cheek color. Perfect for the summer!

When I got home I was a little bored so I went down to our mall and picked up a few drugstore items.

First I picked up the Maybelline dream mousse blush in 25 rose petal. This color is a deep pink with a lot of shimmer. I love the consistency of this blush because it is super blendable and dries to a powder finish. I'm not sure how I feel about the amount of shimmer yet though..

Then I bought 2 Rimmel items that were on sale because I can't pass up a good sale! First I bought their powder blush in 101 Pink Sugar. I thought this would be a nice color to layer over my Maybelline dream mousse blush. Then I bought the Vinyl Gloss in Bronze Ambition which I am quite happy with. This is a bronze colored gloss with silver glitter that has awesome staying power. 

Then I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart and bought the Covergirl Natureluxe foundation in 315 bamboo. I bought natureluxe foundation before but I don't use it because the color was too dark so I plan to mix the two I have and create my perfect shade.

The last thing I bought was the Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top coat which is supposed to be a cheaper version of Seche Vite.

Have any of you tried any of these products? Tell me what you think below<3

So that is the end of my extreme haul.. I hope you guys enjoyed~

xox

Ash


P.s.- Here's a link to one of my new fav songs! Hope you check 'er out!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocEPkkq0QWI&list=FLR5USV4Np9t8&index=1

July Favorites!

Hey Guys

Summer is just flying by isn't it? I can't believe we're in August already.. I cringe when I go to the stores and school supplies is out.. ugh.. but time to forget school for a little and start with my July favorites~!

Makeup

First off I've been loving Benefit's Booing Concealer. I've been breaking out quite a lot this month and Booing has been saving my completion. I bought the Confessions of a Concealaholic set which comes with 2 Booing colors so I mix them to get my perfect match.

Also from Benefit, I've been using my creaseless cream liner/shadow in Birthday Suit. This is brown/gold color that is super pigmented. I have been using Birthday Suit as my only lid color this month.

My third item is my Sigma F50 brush which I like using it to lightly swipe powder on my face.

I've also been loving my Revlon Colorstay Foundation and my Stila tinted moisturizer mixed together as a foundation routine. The Stila moisturizer helps make the foundation feel less cake-y for the summertime and gives an extra glow.

Hair Products

I recently purchased the It's a 10 leave in product which I saw on my friend Sammmtina's blog so you guys should definitely go check out her review. I've only used this a couple of times but from what it's done so far it's a favorite.

I love the Garnier Fructis Style Ultimate Gel in Survivor with cactus extract. I use the tiniest dab of this when I put my hair in a bun to smooth away any flyaways and those flyaways are down for the day! Thank you Fructis! I think this stuff would be awesome for people with layers who want to do a fishtail braid. Smooth this over the fishtail braid where your layers stick out and they would be gone!

The Got2be shine spray would also have to be a favorite this month. This stuff makes hair so glossy and shiny but not looking oily. It also smoothes away any flyaways. I love it!

I also have been loving the Batiste dry shampoo in Tropical. When I take the time to straighten my hair, I like to try to make it last for 2 days so on the second day I use this stuff and it takes away any oils and makes my hair smell yummmayyyyy.


Body Products

This month I've been loving my The Body Shop's coconut milk body lotion. When I was stuck inside doing homework the smell of this would remind me of.. freedom! And the summer sun and beaches.. and I could go on forever. My point? The smell is heavenly but it's not the most moisturizing body lotion I've tried. It also comes with a spray pump which would be cool if you spray it when your lying on the beach wanting a pretty coconut smell, but when your just out of the shower it gets kind of hard to hold on to.

Again this month, I've been loving my Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh. The smell is perfect for summer because it's a light fruity floral. I adore it!

My nail polish loves for the month are Essie Turquoise and Caicos, China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, China Glaze Turned up Turquoise, Orly Rage and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Electric.

Randoms

I have been loving my Toms shoes! So comfortable, cute and they help so many children with their One pair sold= one pair donated. I <3 Toms!

Some televisions shows I have been loving are Masterchef and Hell's Kitchen. I think I might have a secret crush on Chef Ramsay. I also finished Season 4 of Dexter <3! OMG.. I could not move for like 10 minutes after I finished the season. I really almost passed out.. Dexter is always so exciting but season 4 really blew my mind. Now I'm on to season 5 to catch up before season 6 starts!

Some songs I've been loving this month are Dancing in the Dark- Dev, Save me San Francisco by Train, Skyscraper by Demi Lovato, Back Down South by Kings of Leon and Arms by Christina Perri.. I'm in love with playing this song on guitar.

And another favorites comes to an end.. so friends please tell me in the comment below what do you think of these favorites and what are some of your July favorites?

xox

Ash

P.s- Here's a random trending video :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpl5mOAXNl4&feature=aso

Where to Shop Online

I love to shop online, mainly because I don’t have to fight through crowds and my size is usually in stock. This being said I also usually shop on sites that I’ve been in the physical store itself so I have a better idea of what sizes I will need despite the sizing charts available. Here is a list of some of my favorite places to shop from the comfort of my couch.

Threadless

If you don’t know what Threadless is, shame on you. It is such an awesome place to get t-shirts with unique designs. I really enjoy how it’s a community of designers who submit designs, the public scores them, and a select few with the highest scores are chosen to be sold as shirts. In the beginning designs were placed on simple tees or hoodies, but now you can purchase infant-wear, bags, and they’ve started putting the designs on different clothing styles in their “Select” line. A lot of the designs are amazingly artistic and many have a story behind them you can read about in the “About the Design” section. If a design you’re looking to purchase is sold out never fear; just click on a button and Threadless will let you know when it has been reprinted.

You can check out Threadless Tees on their website or while you’re watching Community as Abed frequently sports these awesome shirts.

American Eagle/Aerie

I don’t purchase as much as I used to from AE but I still love the site, especially since they upgraded and got a better site layout. Since I live in Canada I get dinged with extra duties and taxes but it usually isn’t that big of a deal because AE has free shipping deals every other week it seems as well as taking off an extra percentage on clearance items. Clearance is typically where I get all my items from just because I love a sale and why pay full price for something when you can get it on sale?

Victoria’s Secret

As a Canadian I suffer from lack of Victoria’s Secret stores. Did you know that they can only be found in Alberta and Ontario? I live a long ways away from either of those locations so unless I wanna jump on a plane for a few hours every time I want to shop, I’ll just have to stick to online shopping. Now I’ve never ordered any undergarments or over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, but I love their clothes. I find the sizing charts are pretty good to work with, but some items are a little short in the torso but still manageable. A big disadvantage I find with the site is that their free shipping offers generally only cover U.S. based orders. Once in a blue moon they apparently have free shipping to Canada. To make up for this there are usually some online promotion codes you can enter to save a few bucks, but without the free shipping it means that whatever I buy off the site is something I really want.

1928

I don't tend to wear a lot of jewelry but when I do I find myself drawn to vintage-inspired pieces. Thanks to a family member I was told about this awesome website. They have tonnes of stuff to choose from ranging from very affordable pieces to some that are a little more expensive. They also have a bridal line, things for pets, frames, and lots more. I adore this site and am always on the lookout for a sale so I can order even more :) Make sure to check out their website

If anyone can suggest some other great online sources for online shopping leave your comments below. Happy Shopping!


Rebecca

First Apartment Drama: Things You Should Learn

Just before you leave home there are a few basic things you should learn to do. Some of them are going to sound silly but hey, somewhere out there some lost soul is unaware of what they are missing out on.

1.      Learn to cook

One cannot live on take-out and Mr. Noodles alone. You need some nutrition in your life otherwise you’re going to get scurvy or a deficiency of some sort. Now I understand that cooking is not for everyone but at least learn to do some basic things like rice, eggs, boiling water, and cooking some form of meat. Ask someone you know to give you hand or write down a few pointers. There are also some great literary references you can invest in that will really help you out, a lot are actually aimed at college students who are getting their first place. Two cookbooks out of my collection that I really enjoy are Jamie’s Food Revolution and Everyday Food: Great Food Fast.

Jamie’s Food Revolution is the first cookbook of Jamie Oliver’s that I can actually use. Not because the recipe’s in his other books suck (they are actually awesome) it’s that I’m not fond of the page layouts. I’m really fussy when it comes to cookbooks but I use this one a lot, I find the recipes are simple, delicious, open to your own variations, the book is organized really well. He really tried to target this book at people who do not know how to cook.

Everyday Food sometimes has unique ingredients (it is a Martha Stewart book after all), but I really enjoy how recipes are divided into seasons. This gives one a greater idea of what produce is in season and taste best. Certainly you can cook these recipes anytime of year, but I thought it was a unique concept dividing them by season. I highly recomend the recipie for Creamy Broccoli Soup because it tastes fine by itself or with some additions like crackers and cheese.

Unlike my other books, which I never dog-ear or mark in, I love to write in cookbooks. I can remind myself what recipes I like, ones I don’t, changes I’ve made to recipes, or note another recipie that paired really well with another.

2.  Learn to do laundry

As Rachel Green pointed out, not everyone knows how to do laundry when they move out. If you do not have laundry facilities at your new place, scout out Laundromats around town. Make note what type of payment the machines take cause if they use quarters you can remember to save all of yours for laundry day. Don’t just throw everything in together; learn to read the labels on your clothing. Again you may want to ask someone you know for advice on laundry or you can check out Laundry Labels or How to do Laundry

3. Learn how to manage your finances

This is probably the most important thing to learn because you need to know how to budget so that all the bills are paid and you still have money left for food and other expenses. Try to make a routine out of it so you get into the habit of paying bills, transferring money when necessary, etc. Every paycheck I like to assess my bank account, make sure I have enough to take care of my living accommodations, then I move so much into a savings account for school, my budget for personal money I can blow on non-essential items, and my Christmas Fund. I love my Christmas Fund because during the summer when I’m working full-time I can actually have the money I need for getting Christmas presents before school starts. This means when I'm back in classes and only working weekends, I don’t have to worry about having money saved for Christmas.

Since you’re learning to budget it is also wise to consider getting a credit card. If you’re a student some banks offer a special credit card that cuts you a break on banking fees. Having one will help build your credit rating so if you ever need a loan, they can see what a good banker you are and approve the loan. But beware! Don’t use your credit card for everything, preferably it should be kept for emergencies or purchases you know you can pay off at months end. I use my credit card for groceries because I know I can pay it off each month and I get extra air miles at the store for using it.

There you have it, three things that are important to learn when you get your own place. Hope you find it useful!

Rebecca

Beauty Breakdown Tag!

Hey Guys!


I watched this tag on xeverygirlx's channel and I thought it looked fun so I wanted to do it! The tag consists of 5 categories!


Categories:
1. What products do you use in the shower?
2. What products do you use when you get out of the shower?
3. What are your odds and ends products?
4. What products do you use on your face?
5. What other makeup products do you use?


So here we go!


Category 1:


In the shower I use the Macadamia Nut Oil shampoo, Burt's Bees Pomegranate Raspberry conditioner, The Body Shop Apple shower gel, Bic Soleil razors, EOS Pomegranate Raspberry shave cream and loofah!.. apparently I really like pomegranate raspberry.


Category 2:


When I get out I use Soft and Dry no aluminum deodorant, The Body Shop watermelon body lotion, Burt's Bees Peppermint foot lotion, Victoria Secret Splash of Pink Fresh and Clean body spray, Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh perfume.


Category 3:


My odds and ends products are my electric toothbrush and Colgate Whitening toothpaste.. real exciting.
OH! and my Lush bubble gum lip scrub.


Category 4:


On my face I use the Clinique 3 step acne system and Carmax cherry lip conditioner.


Category 5:


On lazy days, I'll usually just use my Maybelline dream matte powder to stop oils throughout the day, Boing! concealer by Benefit and my eyelash curler. If I put on makeup, I'll use some of Revlon Colorstay mixed with a dab of Stila tinted moisturizer so I don't feel cake-y, Maybelline dream matte powder, Nyx cream blush in natural and Maybelline one-by-one mascara.


I tag all of our followers and if any of you do this tag please send us your link so we can check it out! <3

Chow-4-Now


xox


Ash

Don't Fear the Dress

Whenever I went shopping for a night-on-the-town outfit I always avoided dresses that were the least bit form fitting. The main reason being that like many ladies out there, my biggest problem area is the lower abdomen/hip area. It just doesn’t look flattering in tight numbers that hug every curve which made me uncomfortable. For as long as I have done my own clothes shopping, I’ve gone for the dresses that have an empress waist style or a fuller skirt; never the little black dress that would surely display everything I was trying to hide.

That was until last year when I was desperately trying to find a new dress for our school’s semi formal. Everything I tried on was so similar to what I had previously owned; I didn’t see the point in buying it. Discouraged and with nothing else to try, I started browsing through my personal forbidden zone of dresses when I came across a sharp looking dress with horizontal pleating. Years previous I had also make it a rule to avoid this style or anything with ruching due to an unpleasant experience of my grandmother and aunt working in cahoots to force me into something more “modern” for the next school year.

Anyways, the material had a pattern I fell in love with and the back had an edgy geometric cut out that I was sure some magazine had informed me was all the rage. Not thinking I would like it, I tried it on anyway. The worse that could happen was that I look like a stuffed sausage in the privacy of the dressing room. I was in for a surprise. Instead of clinging to areas I didn’t want attention drawn to, the pleats actually formed a smooth silhouette over areas I generally had a strong dislike towards.

Now I’m sure most of you are saying, “Well Rebecca, everyone knows this,” but I didn’t! I must’ve missed the memo when they sent it out. Admiring myself in the mirror I felt silly for ever forbidding myself to consider a form fitting style. So if anyone out there was like me, and avoiding a more fitted dress because you feel you don’t have the “right” shape; stop it. Don’t disregard a style because of one bad experience or be afraid to experiment. What you wear makes a statement and what better statement is there to make than, “Look at me, I look awesome,” in that pleated dress.

Rebecca

First Apartment Drama: Dealing with Roommates or Lack of

 

Growing up I was lucky enough that I did not have to share a room with either of my two younger sisters so I really enjoy having my own space. When I moved into my first place after a year of living in residence, I had my first real experience of sharing a living space with someone else. Sure we both had our own rooms but after awhile you begin to realize that there are going to be some ups and downs to sharing an apartment. The same can also be said about living alone which I am currently experiencing as my roommate is now home for the summer and won’t be back until fall.

Here I am going to go through a basic pros and cons list to each situation and how to remedy any nasty roommate spats.

Living with a Roommate(s)

Pros You have someone to split bills, food, and rent with You have someone you can borrow clothes from/ask for outfit advice Someone to share chores with Someone to talk to Even if they are holed up in their room it’s nice to know you’re not alone Someone to blame those bump-in-the-night sounds on Someone to go see a movie with or another fun activity If roommate has a pet, you get to cuddle and play with it but don’t have to pay for any vet bills Someone to study with if you’re in the same classes If above is true they can also bring you notes when you’re sick Someone can help you decorate your new apartment Don’t have to get all the furniture It’s easier cooking meals for two rather than one

Cons Roommate may not want to pay for things they are not going to use ie cable or land-line Food preferences may differ so much you can’t split food Roommate is a crazy neat freak and gets upset when things are left dirty for two seconds Roommate could be a slob Roommate likes to play loud music Find out you just plain don’t get along (could be true if you move in with a friend or find someone in the “Roommate Wanted” section) Roommate likes to throw parties when you want to study Roommate does not clean up after their pet Roommate does not know how to cook and ruins your beautiful cookware Roommate has no regard of personal space Someone is ALWAYS around

Living Alone

Pros Can arrange things just the way you like with no compromise If the place is a mess, no one is around to judge you Quiet time when you need it Don’t have to worry about making food everyone likes Can walk around in your underwear Can watch trash tv without the harsh judgment of others No one is going to borrow your stuff without asking (unless you get burgled) No one is going to ruin your fancy cookware

Cons Have to pay for all the bills, food, and rent yourself Have to furnish the apartment yourself All the chores must be done by you No one to blame bump-in-the-night noises on No one readily able to give you their approval on an outfit Develop the habit of talking to yourself No one to blame but yourself for ruining your own things such as your fancy cookware Run the risk of becoming a crazy cat lady by acquiring too many feline companions

When it boils down to it I have enjoyed living alone these last few weeks, but I’m also excited for my roommate to come back, mostly because I really hate those bump-in-the-night noises.

If you are thinking of living with someone, make sure you think it over and discuss it carefully with that person. If either of you have mixed feelings about the situation, you’re probably not going to find living together easy. Be really honest with each other about living habits you may have or things that would bother you. For example, tell your potential roommate that you hate doing the dishes, you don’t want to pay for a land-line, and you are not going to clean up after their dog. This way you can find compromises so living together will be a great experience. Instead of doing the dishes maybe you can be primarily responsible for some other chore and agree that if you’re not paying for the land-line you will not use it or ask permission if you should need to. There is nothing wrong with making A Guideline to Harmonious Living. Being able to communicate with one another without flying off the handle will make sure you remain friends when one or both of you move out, so avoid yelling at one another or the passive-aggressive route should any problems arise.

Obviously there are pros and cons to all living situations, and your first time living with someone is going to have its challenges; but, it also is a huge milestone. You’re living without constant supervision, no curfew, you’re practically an adult! Enjoy it :)

Rebecca

P.S. Any stories/advice about your first roommate experience? Comment below!

Book Review: Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style + NOTD

Hey Guys!

It's been a while since my last post because I've been feeling slightly un-inspired. I've been
buried in homework since it's almost the end of the semester and I haven't really been doing
any shopping lately for reviews.. but enough with the excuses!

A few days ago I picked up the Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style. I'm not the most stylish person around so I'm hoping this book can inspire my future shopping decisions.
This book starts off with a Hi from Ann.. I love Ann (she always gives the best intro's) and she has the best job in the world!

Then the style guide starts by breaking down the book into 6 different categories: Girly, Edgy, Boho, Classic, Glam and Indie.

In each style section, the authors first gives you staple clothing items to add to your wardrobe. From there they show you how to wear them and how to incorporate them into your everyday style. They then give a bio and inspirations of a girl who have the style they are talking about. Then they show the girls favorite looks for events like going to school, a date, a look for the weekend and a part outfit. The book then goes into a celeb-spiration section, tells insider secrets to getting that celebs style and you then give the best looks of the celeb. Then you get suggestions on styling tricks to try, a look book and the best places to shop for your style taste.

Near the end you get the ultimate accessory guide and your ultimate fit guide.

Before reading this book, I would not have been able to tell you what my personal style was. I realized through this book that I am a mix between boho and edgy because I have many pieces in my wardrobe that look like clothing articles in these sections. I was really drawn to these sections of the book and through looking at the outfits that were illustrated, I can see how to mix up pieces I already have and some staples pieces that I would like to pick up. This book gives great ideas that I never would have thought of.

This book is $23.00 Canadian and $19.95 US but I found it at Wal-Mart where they give 40% the cover price so I bought this book for around $13. Score!

I would definately recommend anybody who's style challenged like yours truly to pick this up. It's a keeper!

Nail of the Day: Today I picked a yellow from Sally Hansen Insta-Dry called Lightening. This is a bright yellow which is perfect for summer!

That's all for now<3

xox

Ash

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: A Review

          

           Well ladies and gentlemen it is the end of an era. The Harry Potter movies are over and I am so pleased with the final installment. While Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was more of an intense drama, Part 2 was a roller coaster of emotions and action sequences. 

            Since it has been about two years since I last read the book, all I could remember was the general storyline and not all the little details. For me this was the best frame of mind I could be in cause I was watching and enjoying a movie and not getting upset about something being out of place. 

            I decided to shell out the extra few bucks and see the 3D version and I must say I was impressed. I could go on all day about issues I have with 3D but I’m not. The 3D effects done in this movie were executed marvelously and I was not disappointed about spending those extra dollars. 

            The action sequences were almost non-stop the entire film and they were all done beautifully, but in-between all the action were these really deep and emotional moments that every actor pulled off flawlessly. I’m well aware that Alan Rickman (Snape) is a phenomenal actor, but he really blew me away with his performance. Let it also be said that I was impressed with Daniel Radcliffe’s (Potter) performance cause I was a little worried. I’m not saying he is a bad actor, I’m just saying that there was a lot resting on his shoulders due to the emotional rollercoaster Harry is on throughout the film and he needed to portray that perfectly. Radcliffe really gave it his all and it showed. 

            I still remember the magical feeling I had sitting in the theater and watching Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and watching the final installment of the series brought back that feeling times a hundred. My only negative thought is I wish they could’ve extended the end scene at King’s Cross Station a little bit, but that’s really just a personal opinion. I just thought it was missing something.  Overall I would give this film 5 out of 5 cause I loved it.

Rebecca

On a side-note, when did Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) become a sexy beast? Not that I’m complaining cause damn he looks good.